This site has been created by Johnny Boehler. I have always had a passion to express my views to others so we will give it a shot. "The views expressed on this website/weblog are mine alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of my employer"

Sunday, December 27, 2009

"Hey YOU! Quit staring at me you moron and listen! Oh you don't think a baby can talk. Well listen to this!! Nebraskers offense is healfy! Helu is healfy. Lee is healfy. The offensith line is healfy. The catchers are ready to block. Nebrasker will have at least four touchdowns. They will rock and roll. It will be sweet. You can yell Suuuuhhh! all you want, but me, I'll be yelling Heluuuuuuuu! You won't catch on until next year to yell Heluuuuuu! Your a little slow moron. Hey you give me back my sucker!! Tank you! Anyway Nebrasker 34 and those other guys 14. The offensith will be the heroes this time! Now let me go back to sleep!"

I did pretty good on predictions during the regular season. I entered seven FunOffice Pool challenges. Here are the results:Burnt Orange Nation (Texas) 1st out of 164Corn Nation 10th out of 114In the Bleachers 3rd out of 65Huskerhorsepower (mine) 1st out of 8RTT College Football 22nd out of 90The Ralphie Report(Colorado) 3rd out of 115collegefootballtopten.com 2nd out of 27

Then the bowls come along and I have hit hardly anything.I have four entries on a local pool and after six games, I have just one correct answer on each sheet. Last place.

In the FunOffice Pool entries I have two and they are as follows:Corn Nation 10th out of 23RTT College Pool 36th out of 55WOW, that is really bad. Hope I can right about Nebraska.

Friday, December 18, 2009

How about letting Missouri go to the Big 10 if they do decide to do so. Add TCU to the South and move Oklahoma to the North. We could then have the greatest college football rivalry back with annual games. Nebraska vs Oklahoma

Saturday, December 12, 2009

Returning StartersNebraska returns about everybody except for Jacob Hickman (Center) as starters next year. Nebraska also loses Menelik Holt, Chris Brooks, Derek Meyer, and Andy Christensen. Wes Cammack, who played mostly special teams, also is gone.

Wide ReceiversNebraska has Khiry Cooper, Brandon Kinnie, Niles Paul, Curenski Gilleylen, Antonio Bell, and Will Henry returning. Steven Osborne may be a factor. Our only recruit is Quincy Enunwa. Paul, Kinnie, and Khiry Cooper look like the best of the lot. All receivers must catch the ball more consistently. Paul is a game breaker but we need more fire power. Gilleylen could be that player but hasn't impressed coaches enough to get much playing time. We need a couple of receivers besides Paul to step up next year.

Offensive LineNebraska has Mike Smith, Keith Williams, Ricky Henry, Marcel Jones, and DJ Jones returning. Mike Caputo looks to be the starting center. Hopefully Javario Burkes can get healthy to play. He would break into the starting lineup. Brent Qvale, Jeremiah Sirles, Nick Ash, and new recruit Jamarus Hardick have to step up. It is my belief that two of these guys need to step into the starting lineup for NU to get better. We need better play in the line. If we have the same linemen playing next year, we will be better but not enough better to have the offense we need to go to the next level. We did this in 09 in defense. That is some new talent played ahead of some players that played a lot in 08.

Tight EndsWe have everybody back. We have some pretty good talent at this position. Mike McNiel, Dreu Young, Kyler Reed, and Ben Cotton are all back. Add recruit Chase Harper and we should be in good shape here.

Running BacksHelu, Burkhead, and Robinson are all back. It appears that Mendoza, Okafor, and Ward will not be factors in the future without noticeable development before next year. This could happen for at least one of these backs. There are no recruits at running back for this year. We could use a solid recruit at running back yet this year. We'll see what happens. We saw what injuries can do to a team when you lose a player to start the year and then Helu and Burkhead have injuries. Helu and Burkhead are excellent backs; we just need them to stay healthy.

FullbacksTyler Legate, this year's walk-on MVP, Mike Hays, and CJ Zimmeren are back. LET THE FULLBACKS RUN TWO OR THREE TIMES A GAME. If not we might as well put tight ends in the backfield to block and catch the ball once every other game.

QuarterbacksThe offense starts with the quarterback. After the first two games this season, I thought Zac Lee was as good as Joe Ganz. Then we traveled to Virginia Tech and things changed for the rest of the season. Not sure what happened, but Lee become very tentative with his throws. Cody Green may be the answer but has to learn to be so risky when throwing the ball. He has to get more accurate with his throws. On the running side he is a plus. Cody Spano may be the best of the group but who knows now what his injuries will do to his performance level. This writer believes that Cody Green will be the starter next year. With spring ball and fall camp, the coaches hopefully can move him up another level. He does have the running ability to run the offense that Pelini looks like he likes to run.

RECRUITING

Nebraska only has five offensive recruits so far this year.We have three offensive lineman in Jamarcus Hardick, Andrew Rodriquez, and Mike Mundy. We have on wide receiver recruit in Quincy Enunwa. The last recruit is a tightend in Chase Harper. We have some quality recruits on the offensive side but not the numbers we need to bring in some difference makers for the future. There are now no quarterback or running back recruits. Nebraska will probably not bring in any JUCO QB's because, according to Jeremy Crabtree of Rivals, there are no quality quarterbacks left to recruit from a JUCO. Nebraska may get a QB recruit that has committed to another school to look at Nebraska now but that is iffy. Could be that we take two next year's class. Will Ron Kellogg or Taylor Martinez be factors at quarterback?

The fact that we are apparently looking to more of a running attack, it is surprising a quality kid hasn't signed with Nebraska this year.

In the past five recruiting classes, there have been 50 offensive players taken and 60 defensive players. Some of the early offensive recruits in the Callahan era were JUCO players and are gone such as Carl Nicks and Maurice Purify. Running back Kenny Wilson got hurt early and never got to play much. Quentin Castille was kicked off the team. Running back Justin Rogers was never in a factor in the the 2008 class. Lester Ward and Collins Okafor were also recruits of that class.

PLAYER DEVELOPMENTOn defense, player development has been tremendous. I haven't seen this on the offensive side of the ball although how do I really know when you don't attend practices, etc. We will have to have some huge improvement in quarterback play for 2010. There are no new recruits coming in so it appears Cody Green has to improve his throwing and Zac Lee has to gain back his confidence he showed in the first two games this year. They have to get better. The line has some veterans around but I am not sure the improvement has been there. We know it can be done. We have seen it on defense.

We will need to see some newcomers on the line and at wide receiver next year which means we have increased our talent level and some of the developing players will move ahead of those that have been playing. It will raise the level of play.

Player development is essential at quarterback and wide receiver. It is just as important for the offensive line. We have to be better at these positions.

Sunday, November 29, 2009

Crazy year in college football. Who would of thunk that NU would lose to Iowa State and then beat Oklahoma. Oklahoma State, who was playing for a BCS Bowl bid, gets like six first downs and gets throttled by Oklahoma 27-0.

As the season goes, it seems things are getting crazier. Six top 25 teams didn't play yesterday. Seven of the remaining Top 25 teams lost. Injuries are a factor but it proves anything can happen in college football right now. Who would have thought Colorado would outyard Nebraska two to one Friday, 400-200.

Only 12 of the Top 25 teams were winners this weekend. Nebraska should move into the Top 25 this week even though they arguably played one of the worst games of the year this week.

Looks like with the Oklahoma State loss to Oklahoma they will be going to the Cotton Bowl. Unless NU beats Texas on Saturday night, they appear to be headed to the Holiday Bowl in San Diego. Great place to be during the cold winter. Nebraska played in the Holiday Bowl in 1998 and lost to Arizona 23-20.

The Holiday Bowl is scheduled for December 30 at Qualcomm Stadium, with a 7:00 p.m. CST kickoff on ESPN. A USC-Nebraska matchup is very possible.

Now is NU beats Texas in the Big 12 Championship, we may be headed to the Fiesta Bowl. Wouldn't that be something??

Just two more games for SUUUUUHHHH! as a Cornhusker. Let's hope Alex Henery doesn't turn pro. He is a game changer as a punter and kicker. Not many players you can say that about. Rex Burkhead is huge for the offense. He is close to being the best tunning back we have. Roy Helu Jr. is the best when he is healthy. Let's hope that is soon.

Thursday, November 26, 2009

Look to Ray Helu Jr to run for 140 yards and Rex Burkhead to go for 75 more tomorrow against Colorado. Nebraska could get 350-400 yards in total offense. It should be a good showing.

But Colorado seems to always play us tough no matter what the rest of the season is. It will be close for a while. Look to the defense to perform well. Colorado will have a hard time of moving the ball.

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Friday, November 13, 2009

Reesing has never recovered from the hitting he took at the NU game last year. They also haven't been good since Sharpe was injured. Reeing may become another victim of SuuuuuHHHH! Nebraska still has offensive problems. KU is at home. Really an interesting game.

This should be a low offensive scoring game. Who knows how much the defense will score for either team. Helu has to run for 150 or more. NU needs to continue to get under center. Let the fullback run just TWO times. Keep them honest. Throw to the tight ends. Run some motion. Hit some screens. Do a reverse and for Pete's sake do a trick play or two. We have to make some things happen.

Now this is Senior Day at Kansas. What will it mean to the KU players. Hopefully not much. Or maybe they will be too emotional. Either way NU has to overcome the crowd and emotion. Gilleylen and Holt will be back. They should be dialed in. They should be factors. Look to Gilleylen, Helu, and McNeil to have big games. Lee will start. Green will play.

Monday, November 09, 2009

Dick Butkus is my all time favorite linebacker. He was dominate for the Chicago Bears. When the opponents ran the ball, Butkus was in on the tackle. There have been other great linebackers in the pro like Lawrence Taylor and Brian Urlacher.

Nebraska has had many linebackers that you could put in the "great" category. Mark Munford, Bob Nelson, Mike Knox, Mike Ruud, Barrett Ruud, Demorio Williams, Bo Ruud, Jerry Murtaugh, and many more.

In the last four games there has not been a linebacker as dominant as Phillip Dillard. Dillard is an underrated player that has played as well as maybe even Suh!! I hope Dillard gets the recognition he deserves in the post season. He is so fun to watch. He is a hitter who gives everything he has on every play.

Phillip Dillard will be playing on Sundays next year and he will play well!!

Friday, November 06, 2009

The year of bad luck is ready to turn just like last year. This will be a big game in Nebraska history. Get ready to have some fun!!! SSSUUUUUHHHHH!

November 14, 1998- Undefeated No. 2 Kansas State beat conference foe No. 11 Nebraska for the first time since 1968, 40-30 in Manhattan. With the win the Wildcats clinched the Big 12 North title, the first football championship of any kind for Kansas State since 1934.

Look to some new faces on the Husker offense. Khiry Cooper looks to start at wide receiver. My prediction is that Cody Green will start his first game for the Huskers. Green will give us a different look. He is a confident player and he should do well. Baylor starts a young quarterback also so it is a good game to make the change. Green is from Texas so it may help him through the jitters. I think a start away from the home crowd will be better for the team. The crowd always wants the second team quarterback to play so the yelling and booing is not good for the psych of the team right now.

Look for Green to go 19-32 for 275 yards and add another 50-75 running.

The defensive front four will have a hayday. Barry Turner will have his best game to date, Crick will have a great game, Meredith will look like a starter and Suuuuhhh will be Suuuuuhhh!

This week in turnovers, Nebraska will get five turnovers and Baylor only three.

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Baylor has a rookie quarterback and a below average offensive line. The Nebraska defensive line will have its best game yet. Nebraska wins the turnover battle this time. Look to the offensive to play better. They will show improvement but they will still have a ways to go.

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Nebraska had one of those days that can't be explained. Hopefully soon we will have a day where the other team has five to seven turnovers.

In Hidden Game of Football, Pete Palmer and Bob Carroll propose the theory for what a turnover costs a team. According to them, a turnover is always worth -4 points. How did they figure this out? Well, they ran a number of seasons worth of data to determine the answer to this question: "If I'm on yard line X, what will be the next score in the game, on average." It didn't matter whether this score took place on the current drive, or the next drive, or in the next quarter. They only plays they didn't count were those when halftime or the end of the game came before the next score.

With Nebraska's eight turnovers, it cost us 32 points by their data. This data was put together with years of statistics. Therefore the game should of been 39-9, which is realistic, if Nebraska had not had any turnovers.

Overall, the defense played well. Suh and company had a good game. Phillip Dillard is playing outstanding.

Offensively the team has to regroup and the leadership of the team has to get control of their emotions. Confidence has to be a factor on offense. Team unity is essential. All the bunk about we need to start this quarterback or that receiver is getting old. Maybe there needs to be another blackout of the press. The stupid questions are getting old and I would just as soon not hear them answered anymore.

In a more serious note, Jamie Boehler is doing pretty well after her surgery. She needs a lot of rest and recovery will take a long time. Her surgery lasted 16 hours but was successful. The surgery was to take out a brain tumor the size of a lemon. Please continue to pray for her quick recovery.

Thursday, October 22, 2009

This morning at 7am Jamie Boehler went into surgery to have a brain tumor removed. It is now 9:21 pm and there is no word that the surgery is complete yet. Jamie is my brother Michael's wife. She found about the tumor in July. Please pray for her quick recovery.

In a very unimportant note, Nebraska 34 Iowa State 3. 5-1 in predictions and 5-1 against the spread.

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Whether Taylor Potts or Steven Sheffield is in the shotgun formation running the spread offense is immaterial. The Texas Tech offense will be throwing the ball. Steven Sheffield, who wasn't recruited until Greg McElrod decided to go to Alabama, threw for 490 yards and seven touchdowns last week. SEVEN TOUCHDOWNS!!! Sheffield threw for 370 yards in the first half last week against K-State. That was a school record for one half.

(By the way McElrod is the current quarterback for the Crimson Tide. Alabama may be the #1 team in the nation. Florida would disagree.)

Texas Tech is second nationally in total offense. Nebraska has one of the best defenses in the country. Sounds like quite a match up. Texas Tech only allowed 55 total yards in the first half last week also. Meanwhile for three quarters the Nebraska offense sputtered to describe it kindly.

Texas Tech is 4-2 with a ten point loss to Texas and a one point loss to ranked Houston.

Expect Nebraska to have a similar defensive game plan as last year. This year the talent is better and the game is in Lincoln.

Should be a high scoring and who has the ball last kind of game, right?

Well this writer thinks it may be different. Turnovers will be huge with Nebraska having four plus turnovers this week. Nebraska will be able to put some pressure on the QB, however Texas Tech will make quick passes to remove part of the pressure. But the Nebraska defense is much much better than K-State's.

Zac Lee is one of the best quarterbacks in the country at home and will continue where he left off at Missouri. Watch for him to hit the tight ends regularly. Gilleylen and Holt will have big games. Watch for Dreu Young to have his first touchdown. Helu will have to have a big game to control the game tempo. The interesting part of the game will be his replacement. Marcus Mendoza should make a contribution and we will see if Robinson comes out of his redshirt. It would be nice to see Lester Ward and Collins Okafor contribute with Austin Jones and we save Robinson for this year. We'll see what happens there.

Nebraska will dominate the line play on offense and defense so we see a big NU win this week. NU wins 36-17. Yep 36-17!! Projection record for 2009 is 5-0. Next week the BLACKSHIRTS come out so we can talk about who got one and who didn't get one. Just don't get cocky because we have some tough games ahead.

Quentin Castille is playing for Northwestern State in Louisiana. He has 63 carries for 210 yards. He has averaged 3.3 yards a carry with a long run of 59 yards. He has scored one touchdown. Take the 59 yarder out of his total..........

Patrick Witt has lost his starting position with Yale to Brook Hart. He did not play in the game last week. He is 50-94 for 532 yards. His longest pass is 28 yards. He has three TD's and four interceptions. He has been sacked nine times.

I am reading a book by Jeffrey Marx called "The Long Snapper". Great book about Brian Kinchen, who was called by the Patriots in December of 2003 to do the snapping for field goals, extra points, and punts. Gives you an interesting view of the touch job they have. Nobody notices them unless they mess up. Ask P.J. Mangieri from Nebraska. Good luck to him this week.

Sunday, October 11, 2009

The Virginia Tech and Missouri games were very unique this year. The games were both memorable because of the last quarter of each game. The Virginia Tech continues to look very impressive so our game with them did tell us a lot. Maybe we can play them again in a BCS bowl. We have a long ways to get there.

Sportswriters are wondering why we didn't try running the ball more. Well, the first three quarters nothing was working on offense. Thanks for the defense and the players will to succeed, we were still in the game to win it. I thought we would hit the tight ends more. But there wasn't much of anything that was working and we sure didn't look like we could score 27 points at the end of the third quarter. Did you notice how the offensive players ran up to the line and looked like they knew it was time to go? If you can, watch the film and you will see a different attitude in that fourth quarter. This happened before we scored for the first time. They knew they could do it.

Has anybody heard how Helu is?

Suh is amazing!! A leader and the best defensive player we have had in years.

Nebraska is much improved. We have a chance to win any week. Of course, we also have a chance to lose about any week for the rest of the season too. We will have to be at the top of our game each week. Texas Tech will be very tough. Could be a replay of last year with the outcome of the game going to the wire. Iowa State is much improved and I will promise you that Colorado will have their best game of the year against Nebraska. K-State is struggling. Baylor will be easier without Griffin but no game will be a given.

Nebraska continues to recruit defensive players with the emphasis on the defensive line. The 2010 class includes five defensive players, three offensive players, and one athlete, who will probably play safety. A little unusual is that three of the recruits are from Missouri.

Now to Nascar....What happened to Dale Earnhardt Jr. With the best racing team, he continues to struggle. He is the only team member to not make the Chase. Many from the outside says he needs to get in shape. His miscues have come mostly in the second half of the races. Hopefully he can pull off a victory soon.

Fantasy Pro football is bad this week. Hope things pick up or I may not get in double digits in scoring.

Monday, October 05, 2009

This Thursday Nebraska goes to Missouri where the fans will be hostile. More hostile than Virginia Tech. The students will skip classes to indulge in their favorite spirits and they will be out to make Zac Lee's night a disaster.

Last year in Lincoln, Missouri completely dominated all phases of the game. It was like a pro team vs. a college team. No question who was better that day although this writer believes that Nebraska was the better team at the end of the season.

Now we go to Missouri to face this crowd.

What will happen this Thursday? Nebraska will win in the trenches. We are fairly even on offensive lines but our defensive line will dominate. Look for the dime and nickel defenses along with lots of pressure on their quarterback from our line. This will be the deciding difference in this game.

Nebraska will get three to four turnovers. We will see some blitzing at times and Gabbert won't like the pressure.

But what will keep Zac Lee from having another Virginia Tech like performance? In this game we will run, run some more, and hit our tight ends on a regular basis. I also like Chris Brooks and Menelik Holt in this game on quick passes. Helu and Burkhead will have great games with some pass catches. The coaches will make this game easier for Lee and he will outplay Gabbert on this night.

Also Jeremy Maclin is gone and that is huge for Missouri. Their punt returns are nothing. They fair catch most of their balls. Our special teams will be far superior to Missouri's.

Missouri's Danario Alexander will be the best player on the field this night. He is a great receiver and may score two touchdowns against Nebraska.

Putting this all together, Nebraska will win 30-14. Yes, we will win at Missouri 30-14. Suuuuuuuuhhhhhhh! You'll yell that in your living room a few times. Nebraska 30-14.

Sunday, September 27, 2009

NU is at the bottom of the Top 25 teams. Hard to believe that Virginia Tech is #6 and we are at #24. Yes, they beat us but by one point. They killed Miami on Saturday. Penn State gets beat 21-10 by Iowa and Iowa jumps in at #17. Penn State is still at #13. Miami is #21. Go figure.

Robert Griffin is out for the season for Baylor. NU plays them October 31st. Griffin may be the best QB in the Big 12.

Did you notice all the empty seats at Dover today for the NASCAR race. Has NASCAR enthusiasm peeked?

I'll be surprised if we don't have two or three commits by Tuesday evening. What a great atmosphere there was at the game last night!! The recruits had to be impressed. Nebraska is almost back!

NU has to do a better job of getting the snap off earlier so the defense can't get set. We need to be snapping the ball with 15 seconds on the clock and not three or four seconds. Penalties have to improve also.

Chris Brooks is now a weapon on this team. He makes great catches. Corenski Gilleylen is also a lot of fun to watch. Those two receivers will be a hit this year. Also Dreu Young and Mike McNeil will score their touchdowns.

Surprised by all the nickel defense we played on Saturday and not much dime defense. The linebackers did a pretty good job in pass defense.

Now on to Missouri!! Should be a toss-up with possibly Missouri favored by one or two with the home field advantage!

Friday, September 25, 2009

This will be a high scoring affair this week. Watch for NU to win 50-21. Hard to believe the Ragin Cajuns will score 21 points but they will as NU will have a couple of miscues on defense and special teams.

Watch for the tight ends to score three TD's this week as the Cajuns blitz their linebackers. Cody Green will play some extra ball this week so watch how he does in a more crucial part of the game.

Hopefully NU comes out of this game injury free. We don't need injuries to key people. This is a good game to play a lot of players.

Monday, September 21, 2009

I owe my friend John Boehler an article after the Cornhuskers squeaked by the Arkansas State Red Wolves a couple of weeks ago. And, I was ready to sing the praises of the Cornhuskers thinking that they would beat Virginia Tech who is from the ACC (ugh!), but they let the Hokies beat them on the last drive. What gives?

I thought you guys had it turned around. I was ready to call you the front runner in the Big 12 North! I thought, "sure Missouri is better than expected, and sure Kansas has looked nice, but Nebraska has Pelini." I only hope that Virginia Tech is better than expected. Tyrod Taylor made an unexpected improvement in the passing game.

Well, I am sure Va Tech will be good before it is all over; they usually are. They will probably be in the thick of the ACC race, no doubt. I also think that Nebraska will be in the thick of the Big 12 North race!

Pelini has almost gotten them back. They are playing better defense, and the offense has been explosive at times. Of course, you have some kids from the Dallas-Fort Worth area who are helping you out!

Sunday, September 20, 2009

The 2009 version of the Texas Tech game of last year was played today at Virginia Tech. The Cornhuskers played well most of the game but was disappointed at the end of the game. Like the game last year, Nebraska had a number of times to put the game away but just wasn't able to.

Score NU 12 VT 10. With 2:21 to go in the third quarter Zac Lee runs seventeen yards to the six yard line. The TV announcers say that NU has to convert these redzone opportunities to touchdowns. With 1:55 in the third quarter to go, Zac Lee hits Mike McNiel for a touchdown. NU 18 VT 10. NU has this one won. Whoops!! Flag on NU for holding. No touchdown. Now its first and goal from the sixteen.

Another flag. First flag on the right guard, second one on the left guard. First and goal from the 21. Zac Lee hits Menelik Holt for a touchdown!!!! Both feet down but the ball comes rolling out when he hits the ground. No touchdown. Score is still 12-10. What is going on!

Lee runs for five yards but another flag. 1:43 to go in the third. Third holding call since first and goal at the six. Now it is second and goal on the 31. We have lost 25 yards to penalties and had two touchdowns not happen. Lee throws the ball away. We are looking at a 48 yard field goal right now. Third and goal from the 31 now. Whoops another flag. False start!!!!! Now it is third and goal from the 36. Lee is tackled for a yard loss and the ball is on the 37 or 38 yard line. It would be a 54 or 55 yard field goal! Reachable. Wind is about five miles an hour. Nope we are punting to try to back them up at the goal line. SO we punt on fourth and goal from the 38 yard line due to so many penalties I won't even summarize them all. No points after all of this.

I am sure I can get the window fixed in the living room before my wife gets home. I threw something and broke it. I wonder what I threw. Hope that wasn't our good vase. Well its my wife's vase. I could care less right now. She won't be home until Sunday. At least we are still leading 12-10.

At the end of the third quarter, NU has 271 yards of total offense and VT has 142 yards. Most of the Virginia Tech yards were from the first two drives of the game.

With 11:21 to go in the game, Tyrod Taylor is 6-16 for 65 yards. Nebraska is leading 12-10. Taylor throws a pass that Prince Amukamara looks like he has picked off for a touchdown, but is actually completed for a 14 yard gain. Even with that, Virginia Tech only has 167 total yards. Three plays later on third and four, Suh bats down his fourth pass of the day.

With 7:05 to go in the game, Corenski Gilleylen is wide open for what could have been a touchdown but the ball floats to the sideline and Gilleylen makes a nice catch for a 34 yard gain. A more accurate throw would have been a touchdown. It doesn't matter, we will win anyway. Nebraska is stopped on a third and three. With Nebraska not able to reach the endzone, Henery kicks his fifth field goal of the game. With 4:33 to go NU 15-VT 10.

No problem, VT's offense is nil and the Nebraska defense is dominating. With 3:25 to go VT converts on a third and four by a 1/2 yard. Nebraska gets the ball back with after Taylor misses WR Roberts who is wide open for what could have been a touchdown. Boy we are lucky to win this game. That could have been a bad deal!

NU has the ball on the VT 46 with 2:07 to go. Helu for two yards. Zac Lee runs for three yards. Its third and five with 1:56 to go. Lee runs for four yards and just misses a first down. 1:51 to go. Nebraska punts to the twelve yard line. 1:44 to go.

Before the drive starts, NU is flagged for too many men on the field. The announcer says, "You wonder if Virginia Tech could score if Nebraska only had seven or eight men on the field." We're doomed.

Jared Crick tackles Taylor after a one yard gain. Second and four with 1:35 to play. Then Taylor hits a wide open WR Coale for a 81 yard gain. Blown coverage!!! He is tackled out on the three. 1:11 to play. My gut feels like I just swallowed a dozen jalapeno peppers!!

Next play O'Hanlon sacks Taylor for a seven yard loss. :54 seconds to go. No timeouts. Ball on the ten. Taylor then throws the ball away on the next play after being rushed. :33 seconds to go. We will hold them.

With :21 seconds left, Taylor has Suh trying to drag him down but throws to WR Roberts for a touchdown. The ball looks like it goes right through Prince Amukamara's arm. VT 16- NU 15. Geezzz! 88 yards in five plays after they were completely held to nothing the whole half. Put a gallon of horseradish and a quart of prune juice on those peppers. I can hear my stomach gurgling like the ocean. Breathing is becoming erratic.

VT goes for two and fails.

Burkhead runs the kickoff out of the end zone. Result is :18 seconds left and NU has the ball on its own 15. This doesn't look good.

Lee hits Paul for a nineteen yard gain to the 34 but NU is penalized for wrong alignment. NU was only 25 yards from a field goal. :12 seconds left. Ball on the 10.

Last play of the game is an Our Father and VT intercepts. Game over. VT 16- NU 15. I am headed to the bathroom and I am not sure which end things are going to come out.

Helu, Suh, and Henery had great games!

Oh and by the way, outside was a broken glass chicken that used to sit on our table and went through the window somehow. I got to think of a good story for this so I probably better go. What's a Hokie anyway????? I hope they are some kind of chicken cause that could go with my story. This may be a case where it might be good if the sun didn't come up tomorrow.

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Virginia Tech will be a test on their home field. Has Nebraska moved up to that level? Yes. We are improved and this game will be a good one.

Zac Lee has played brilliantly in the first two games. But this team will be up two or three notches in talent so the end results may be different. Lee will need to be more careful in some of his throws or we will be looking at a couple of interceptions. For us to win, he will need to use his speed to run more often. This will keep Virginia Tech honest. Lee may be our rushing leader on Saturday. If he is, we will win.

The rushing offense will have a tougher time of making yards. Look for the NU rushing backs to be below four yards a carry. It just won't be as easy.

On defense, we can't play like we did against Arkansas State on nine or ten plays. On these plays there were defensive linemen getting knocked back at times and the linebackers were also going backwards. In addition we were missing tackles. Saturday that could result in 14-17 points.

So to win. we have to be careful with the ball. Play it a little safer. Zac Lee needs to run more. Our rushing attack has to be consistently good with positive yards on all plays. The defense has to attack. Larry Asante had his best game as a Cornhusker last Saturday. We will need to play the nickel and dime defense more even if they are running the ball. Hagg and Thorell have been more consistent on the field on all plays than when our base defense has been.

Look for Zac Lee, Roy Helu, Menelik Holt, and Dreu Young to have great games on offense. On defense, look for Eric Hagg, N. Suh, Barry Turner, and Larry Asante to star in the game.

In a close one, as hard as it is to write, Virginia Tech 28, Nebraska 27. Boy do I hope we can win this one though. It would be a huge boost to the program.

Thursday, September 10, 2009

The Toddler has struck again!! He is the writer for collegefootballtopten.com. I remember his prediction last year when he said Arkansas State would knock off Texas A & M. He is not quite as bold this year but you can tell he feels like they have a chance to win. Read his article! Great reading!

I respect his opinion, but the Cornhuskers will win and the defense will be dominant. No 61 points this week for the Red Wolves! This could be a game similar to when Arkansas State visited Texas two years ago and almost won. They ended up losing 21-13. But Nebraska should do better than that Texas team did.

Special teams will be huge this week. Look for two touchdowns from the special teams and one touchdown for the defense and we have a 41-3 victory. They will be tougher than most fans give them credit for but in the end, the depth of Nebraska bring them to a nice victory. No doubt that they were dominant last week but they haven't played in Lincoln and this team isn't Texas A & M of last year.

Look to the Huskers to be hitting harder this week. Competition for positions continue so there should be no letup.

What should be interesting is how we defense them. They have a lot of no back and one back sets so will the nickel and dime defense be on the field a lot. Or because they run the ball so well, will we be playing the pass and seeing the run a lot. Either way Bo Pelini will have it figured out, no doubt, and the Huskers will play a great defensive game.

Tuesday, September 08, 2009

Ciante Evans, a cornerback from Texas, committed tonight to Nebraska. Also today, Nebraska got a commit from Walter Ashburn from Louisiana. Ashburn is a defensive end. Early this week, NU got a commit from Harvey Jackson, a cornerback from Texas. That makes eight commits. Three are from Texas, two from Nebraska, one from Louisiana, Missouri, and Colorado.

Howard Schnellenberger said after the game Saturday that Nebraska doesn't have a lot of great players but the sum of the parts makes a very good team. He was saying that as a compliment. Nebraska is not weak in any positions. They are deep and they are young which means we only get better as the season goes on.

Watching the Florida St./Miami game tonight makes me think that NU has closed the gap. Yes speed is evident woth the Florida teams but you didn't see our quarterback throw balls up for grabs like I am seeing these teams do.

Strengths1.The defensive line looks really good. Suh is an All-American. Cameron Meredith is a great back-up to Barry Turner. Baker Steinkuhler played very well.2. The linebackers played well especially for as young as we are. 3. The secondary overall was good. Remember Florida Atlantic probably had the best QB, tight end, and wide receiver in the Sun Belt Conference.4. Helu was, you know, pretty good. Burkhead is going to be special also.5. Zac Lee had some really great throws. The throw to McNeil was as good as it gets. He can throw the ball with accurancy. Receivers dropped four balls during the game. He can run too and should a little more. Cody Green has a ways to go but like Burkhead, he will be special.6. The offensive line is as good as we have seen in many years. Maybe back to the Championship years. They are deep. 7. Holt and Gilleylen played great. Almost forgot about Swift and Peterson. Holt put on some moves and Gilleylen is just plain fast.8. The tight end position is very very strong with a lot of playmakers. Watch for Tyler Reed to do some special things this year and McNeil is hard to beat.9. Nobody hits harder than Ricky Thenarse.

Weaknesses1. Penalties, penalties2. Who can be the 3rd and 4th team running backs? We will need them before the season is over.3. Two major missed assignments on defense with a fullback catching the ball and nobody close to him and also the defensive back running across the field away from the wide receiver and that wide receiver catching the ball in a wide open field.4. Defense needs to be ready for a hurry-up offense5. Where was the blocking on the blocked punt?6. No sacks by the defense however the QB was very quick in throwing the ball away.7. We need a couple of more receivers to step up with Holt and Gilleylen.8. Play clock got close a few times of running out but overall better than the past few years and pretty good for a first game.

I would give the Cornhuskers a B+ after the first game. They are young. On offense, besides Hickman and Holt, you have underclassmen. The defense is about the same. The question is "How good is Florida Atlantic?" We will see.

How about Pat Ackerman and those UNK players knocking off UNO. What a victory!! Ackerman is a Holdrege High graduate and is a team captain for the Lopers. He ended the game with nine tackles. Great job Pat!!

Thursday, September 03, 2009

Former NU player and Oregon Asst Coach Scott Frost had to restrain Oregon player LaGarrett Blount at the end of the Oregon-Boise St. game tonight. Blount punched one of the Boise St players at the end of the game and Frost and police restrained him and literally carried him out off the field.

Blount had said before the game that Oregon owed Boise St an ---whoopem.

Danny Woodhead had a great night. The North Platte native, who played college at Chadron State, had 18 carries for 158 yards and two touchdowns tonight for the Jets vs. the Philadelphis Eagles. He ended the night with a 8.8 yard average. He caught one pass for ten yards and had a kickoff return of 31 yards. WOW!!

Todd Peterson had one catch for nine yards for the Jaquars. Cody Glen had one tackle for Washington.

Cincinnati Bengal Maurice Purify had one catch for seven yards. Titus Adams had three tackles for the Patriots tonight.

For the Bears. Josh Bullocks had four tackles with Zach Bowman making two tackles.

Saint Scott Shanle had one tackle. Correll Buckhalter had three runs for 24 yards for the Broncos. Nate Swift returned two punts for 17 yards.

Cuts are coming soon so we will see how many Huskers make it. Danny Woodhead looks like he is in pretty good shape.

Sunday, August 30, 2009

At the Football 202 program in July, Coach Bo Pelini made it clear that he feels his job is not about X'x and O's and winning football games. He made it clear that his job is to prepare young kids for the rest of their life. He emphasized that kids must compete daily, follow their outlayed process and be accountable. He wasn't talking about football. He was mostly talking about what the players do off the field. He was passionate and serious about his statements.

"Every decision you make impacts who you are. (Players) must worry about their day to day activities. That's their main priority." Later he said "Love unconditionally. Sometimes its tough love."

Hopefully Quentin Castille learned from this experience. Pelini helped him find another college. I think this week we did learn that football is more than X's and O's from Coach Pelini. He has practiced what he preached.

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Maurice Purify had one catch for 22 yards for Cincinnati tonight. Todd Peterson had two catches for 21 yards, with one being the last play of the game. He is trying to make the Jacksonville team and has had a few catches this year.

Bo Ruud made his debut tonight playing for Tampa Bay. He is now playing with his brother Barrett.

Monday, August 24, 2009

Who is Florida Atlantic? Florida Atlantic is coached by Howard Schnellenberger. If you haven't forgotten by now, Schnellenberger led the Miami Hurricanes to victory over the Nebraska Cornhuskers in the national championship game on January 2, 1984. The Cornhuskers had Gill, Rozier, and Fryar that year and, prior to the game, they were picked by some as the best college team ever. This is the game that NU went for two points and didn't convert towards the end of the game. The undefeated team went down 31-30.

The Owls play their home games at Lockhart Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and are members of the Sun Belt Conference.

The Owls are led by Rusty Smith, the Pre-Season Sun Belt Conference Co-Player of the Year for 2009. TE Jamari Grant also has received some preseason honors. The offense is their strong point but the NU defense should keep them in check most of the game. NU will have four turnovers in this game.

The 2008 Florida Atlantic team was 7-6. They lost a lot of key players on defense this year so the Huskers should be able to score quite a few points.

Florida Atlantic will run the spread offense. Nebraska will defend with the nickel and dime sets much of the game.

So look to Florida Atlantic to score the first two possessions of the game with a touchdown and a field goal. They will also score late in the game to have a total of 17 points. Nebraska will score often during this game with a lot of players scoring. The NU defense will score at least one touchdown. NU will be able to score on the ground and through the air.

Zac Lee should run for one touchdown and throw for three touchdowns, with one being a tight end. Helu and Ward will score on the ground along with Lee and Henery will kick two FG's.

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Steve Octavien had two tackles for Dallas on Friday night. Todd Peterson had a catch for 11 yards for Jacksonville. Cody Glenn had two tackles for Washington. For Green Bay, Brandon Jackson had twelve yards rushing and one reception. Scott Shanle had one tackle for New Orleans. Jay Moore had a tackle for the 49ers. Nate Swift had on catch for four yards for Denver. Correll Buckhalter had 15 yards rushing and had one catch for eight yards. LeKevin Smith had one tackle in his debut for Denver.

Former Beatrice player, Xavier Omon had a rushing touchdown and two receptions for 61 yards playing for the Bills.

Quentin Castille's dismissal is not good for NU football. Don't get me wrong, if he was let go, I am sure he deserved it. It was just the tandem of Helu and Castille was a pretty good deal. Two different running styles with two great backs. Don't forget Rex Burkhead is a freshman who is still learning. Obviously he has a ton of talent but I would guess he runs a lot like Helu. Oh well, Castille is gone so let's get ready for the next good back to arise. Burkhead, Ward, Okafor, or maybe Robinson. Should be fun. But in a year we needed to run, run, run, our machine may have sheared a bolt. It can be fixed and I am sure it will be quickly.

Sunday, August 16, 2009

Josh Bullocks had two tackles for the Bears vs. Buffalo. Brandon Jackson had 41 yards on eight carries for Green Bay against Cleveland. Demorrio Williams had two tackles for Kansas City vs. Houston. Kris Brown had three field goals and an extra point for Houston.

Vince Young outplayed Kerry Collins at quarterback yesterday in their game against Tampa bay.

Barrett Ruud had one tackle for Tampa Bay. Kyle Vanden Bosch had two tackles against the Bucs.

Alex Henery and Brett Maher are battling for the punting job! Henery looked the best in the spring.

Offensive lineman Brent Qvale is impressing the coaches as he is practicing with the second team with the injury to Ricky Henry.

Coach Bo Pelini said there is no doubt the Huskers have more depth this year at defensive end. Cooper and Meredith back up Turner and Allen. David Harvey is impressing along with freshman Jason Ankrah.

Wide receiver Brandon Kinnie is impressing the coaches during the fall session.

Thursday, August 13, 2009

James Dobson said the players are bigger and faster than last year. A side note: The workouts this summer were the hardest they have been through since being at NU according to one player.

The 105 players this year have more talent than a year ago. Some players in fall camp last year were not in the top 105 players this year.

Nebraska has the talent to be a national championship team. They have to get more consistent, trust in the coaches, and improve their academic efforts so that problems in that area are not a distraction for football.

Recruiting is not an exact science. Relationships with high school coaches are essential for recruiting great talent. Relationships are starting to develop in Nebraska and Texas, for example.

Pelini's reaction after the New Mexico game after being told that Lance Thorell had just started his first game with 11 men on a team. "What!!?" Lance played for Loomis who played 8 man ball and is a walk-on.. Coach Sanders is very happy with his progress.

The story of how Colton Koehler from Harvard starting his college career with Division III Nebraska Weslayen and now could be a starter at Nebraska is a tribute to how the walk-on program at Nebraska works.

The coaches and staff just don't give lip service to the walk-on program, they truly believe it sets NU apart from other schools.

With the NCAA limit of 105 players in fall camp, the rule has changed that if a player gets hurt, the coaching staff can call in another player not on the original list. This happened when Ron Kellog Jr. just came into camp to replace injured Kody Spano.

There are 29 practices in fall camp. Last year there was only one week of practice before school started. This year there will be two weeks.

The first day of practice this year included drug testing.

Tommy Frazier said NU coach Kevin Steele drew him to NU. Frazier was actually just ready to commit to Colorado when an assistant coach called him from Colorado and said they would like to switch him to safety. That assistant coach is now the head coach for the Minnesota Vikings, I believe.

Frazier discussed the conversation he had with Warren Sapp in the 1995 Orange Bowl. Frazier told a reporter that he didn't like being called Thomas or Tom. He said Sapp must of read the story. When I came back into the game Warren was yelling, "Hey, Thomas, Hey Tom. Where have you been? Frazier said, It's not where I've been fat boy, it's where I am going."

Frazier said when he ran his first career play at NU, he ran the wrong way.

Pelini can fire up a crowd with his enthusiasm. So can Ron Brown who got a standing ovation with his energy.

Tommie Frazier said his college highlight was graduating. He was the first one in his large family to graduate from college.

His favorite play was getting hit from behind but still got a pass off against Colorado. He loved beating Colorado.

Frazier feels the option can still work today. "Look at Georgia Tech!"

Frazier said the first time he was in Lincoln and it was snowing he said "What the hell am I doing here?"

Pelini said the successful players are set apart because of what they do off the field with academics, working out, and family. They must compete daily, follow a process laid out by coaches and staff and be accountable.

Carl Pelini said that we are establishing the team we want to be. The family atmosphere is a powerful, powerful thing.

Coach John Papuchis said that Baker Steinkuhler will be a force before he leaves Nebraska.

All coaches talked about a "relentless effort" by the team and coaches being key to the team.

Shawn Watson says Zac Lee has as much talent as an QB he has ever been around.

Mike McNiel commented that Rex Burkhead has caught his eye this summer. Prince Amukamara said that Jason Ankrah, a defensive end, is a freshman to look out for.

We'll probably have some more in Football 202 later but that is all for tonight.

Tuesday, August 04, 2009

Bo Pelini's message was that this 2009 team has talent. We have to continue to change the culture to a family atmosphere and the players have to trust the coaches. We have come a long ways but we aren't quite there yet. We have to be more consistent.

James Dobson, the strength and conditioning coach, is as full of energy as anybody I have ever been around. The word is that he is working the players much much harder than he did a year ago.

Dobson said that in June the team worked on strength, speed, and, power. In July they are working on conditioning.

The team has gained 350 lbs of body mass during this time and yet are faster. They work on acceleration. They sprint 10-15 yards at a time. Dobson said long distance is not football.

Dobson said that a player comes to Nebraska because he trusts us. They have to trust we will make them better. The players have to have a high level of performance throughout the whole year. If you are comfortable, you won't get better.

Ted Gilmore talked about recruiting. He said there is no exact science to recruiting. Nebraska believes in staff recruiting where two, three, four coaches may visit a player.

Recruiting is getting out of whack in some parts of the country because they are recruiting players when they are only freshman or sophomores.

The recruiting philosophy is1) Academics Nebraska leads the nation in academics. Student athletes must compete in the classroom.2) Athletics3) Community Recruits must be a good fit for our state, community, and university

Prospects are evaluated by speed, strength, size, ability, and character. Gilmore said, for example, they like receivers that are big bodied (6'3" and above) and can created separation (quickness and speed)

Gilmore said "We will not always compete with our opponents for the same prospects. However we must recruit individuals that will help us defeat those teams".

NU's goal is to identify every prospect within a 500 mile radius of the University.

Some of the players in the top 105 players for Nebraska last year will not make the top 105 players in 2009. This is even after we lost a bunch of seniors. This means the overall talent level is up at Nebraska. The redshirting and incoming freshmen plus the development of our other players has created an increase in talent. That is good news for NU fans. That is great news!!

Sunday, August 02, 2009

This year's Football 202 had 328 attendees from 18 states. Last year there was approximately 125 that attended the first session ever. Jeff Jamrog mentioned that the session is like the T-shirt that says "NU football is not Life or Death" and then on the back it says "It's more important than that."

The NU coaches are on the same page. There was a consistent message given by all. The message is that 1) Every player is competing daily, 2) Follow the process consistently, 3)Be accountable for your actions, and 4) Establish a culture of a family atmosphere.

Bo Pelini didn't talk about X's and O's. His emphasis was what sets players and coaches apart. He said it is what they do off the field. Ultimately it is not what you do but how you do it. "Every decision you make every day impacts who you are.

Pelini said, in his mind, his job is not to win football games but to prepare kids for the rest of their life.

He said in the recruiting process, the recruit has a me-attitude when he is picking a college. Once he signs it has to be all about team.

Pelini is about the process. Players need to worry about their day-to-day activities and it has to be their main priority. That includes going and participating in classes. If they are having problems in their classes, they won't be focused when they come to football practice.

There are not many gray areas in coaching, it is mostly black and white. You love the players unconditionally but sometimes it has to be tough love.

Players have to trust coaches. When this staff got to Lincoln, the trust wasn't there. The trust wasn't all there in 2008 but it is getting better.

Pelini feels he has a tremendous mentor in Coach Osborne. He said that he has a dream job and the reasons are: 1) Tom Osborne is athletic director, 2) He is now head coach, and 3) He likes working with young men.

He joked about having his picture taken while out in public. People walk up and take pictures with their cell phone which amazes him because he said "I'm ugly". He also remembers a guy about 75 years of age giving him a long long bear hug as his girls looked with astonishment. He said "It's ok girls".

Pelini stresses that as a coach you have to have balance with your life. He believes his staff follows this same philosophy.

Pelini said they have a more difficult time recruiting because it is about building relationships with high school football coaches. Nebraska isn't populated enough to draw a large number of recruits so he said building relationships becomes a challenge. They have started to build ties with coaches in the Dallas, Texas area, and it has paid off.

Pelini said the biggest challenge of the football team is "ourselves." Ultimately if the players buy in, we have enough talent to win a championship. Last year we lacked consistency.

Pelini talks to Pete Carroll on a regular basis. He says he doesn't have all the answers and as a coach you must continue to develop.

Pelini believes in treating his assistant coaches the best he can. He said he has the best staff in college football.

Pelini said he doesn't believe in depth charts but he assured our group that Suh will start.

When asked who is more talented - Suh or Dorsey, his former All-American from LSU - he said Suh may have more talent but Glenn Dorsey is extraordinary with his effort. He says Suh has great effort but Dorsey was at a different level every play.

Pelini says that Missouri was a game "I screwed up". After that game he said he had a complete self-evaluation. He said he made corrections.

The game he most enjoyed was Texas Tech because we responded well after the Missouri game. That game was the crossroads of the season.

In the next couple of days, we will have more on Football 202. Watch for more!

Alberto Contador won the Tour de France for the second time. Lance Armstrong did not win. He was well back in time but did finish third in his attempt at a comeback. Will he retire again?

Jamie McMurray is free to shop around for another team. Roush Fenway Racing said they may look to move McMurray to their partner Yates Racing. Presently Roush's drivers are Matt Kenseth, Carl Edward, Greg Biffle, David Ragan, and McMurray. Dewalt says they will not sponsor Matt Kenseth's #17 next year also. It will be weird to see Kenseth with a different looking car. I guess we have gotten used to Tony Stewart's car not being Home Depot so we can get used to this also.

McMurray has been rumored to be in contact with Earnhardt Ganassi Racing to take over the #1 car as Martin Truex Jr is moving after this year.

Look to Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart, Jimmie Johnson, and Kyle Busch to finish in that order today at the Brickyard.

Coffee grinds caused an emergency landing today in New York. Personnel on board thought they smelled something burning or a fire. Sounds like home.

Larry The Cable Guy is beginning the filming of his Christmas Special this week! Maybe that's why my wife has started her shopping already.

Monday, July 20, 2009

Steady Tom Watson made this year's British Open one of the best in years. I forgot Tiger didn't even make the cut. No Tiger Woods but lots of drama. Tom Watson was only two over for the day in regulation. Pretty good golf with all the pressure. Many younger extremely athletic golfers played much worse on Sunday.

Golf needs to have a golfer from the past be in the hunt of winning a tournament about once a month. Why not? Wrestling does it, why not golf.

Found myself not liking Stewart Cink for an hour or two yesterday. He seems to be a good guy though. But why did he have to beat Watson?

I think I'll Join the Michael Vick fan club. For Pete's sake he was mean to some dogs and he went to prison for a couple of years. The press is after him and when that happens, as we see in politics, they can ruin you.

Friday, July 17, 2009

This is one of my most memorable moments in my lifetime. At the time had had a huge impact on the nation. John F. Kennedy had instilled into the lives a vision and a hope for each of us to get better. The nation responded!! This day could be compared to 9/11 when you look at how it affected the nation and the world.

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

In 2008 when strength and conditioning coach, James Dobson, took over the workouts they, were much more strenuous than what the players experienced with the previous staff. Well, it sounds like this year the workouts have been stepped up a few more notches. The workouts have been very vigorous and players say they are in the best shape of their life. This will result in more wins. You have to give the players and staff a big A+ for the off season work they have done. The first game is right around the corner. As a fan it is invigorating to know the effort that has been set forth to put the best product on the field. This writer is grateful but also glad he isn't one going through the workouts.

I am starting to get the fever and believe that NU can win the Big 12 North. The game at Kansas will be huge. So many things can happen before that game, but if NU can stay mostly healthy at key positions, they will win at Lawrence. Do fans know how much teams will take to prepare to stop Suh? He is the man.

Monday, July 13, 2009

The Wall Street Journal had the following statistics today on those that have won the Home Run Derby. Pre-Break Post Break2008-Lance Berkman 1 HR per 15 AB 1 HR per 31 AB2007 Alex Rios 1 HR per 21 AB 1 HR per 42 AB2006 David Wright 1 HR per 17 AB 1 HR per 41 AB2005 Bobby Abreau 1 HR per 18 AB 1 HR per 44 AB

Two experienced Kansas football players made position changes in critical areas. Kansas lost three starting linebackers so Angus Quigley, the team's second leading rusher last season, has moved to linebacker.

Sophomore Jeremiah Hatch started 12 games at left tackle last year. He has moved to center.

QB Todd Reesing is the only QB projected to start this fall that has won in a bowl game.

Tonight on FSN, the September 1996 between Arizona St and Nebraska was shown. NU had a 26 game winning streak going and was upset 19-0. Pat Tillman recovered a fumble by Ahman Green to ice the victory. Arizona St. went 12-0 that year and then got beat in the Rose Bowl by Ohio State.

Today ESPN radio said that the money people say Virginia Tech and Boise State are the two toughest places to play. Nebraska goes to Virginia Tech 9/19/09. Virginia Tech is pre-rated in the top five in most polls. It will be interesting to see how many NU fans dressed in red can get tickets to the game. Should be a blast!!

This is the third segment of Football 202 attended by 132 Husker fans. There were fans from twelve states that attended Football 202. One of those fans was the dad of Husker great Terry Connealy, Marty Connealy. He had two of his grandsons with him who look like they could be Huskers soon. They go to school in Mullen.

Also in the football office on Friday was Cody Green, a great quarterback recruit in the 2009 class. He was with his sister and mother. He is a tall athletic looking kid who reminds this writer a little like Josh Freeman. It looked like he was having a good time. He did not attend Football 202.

The Football 202 group had the pleasure of listening to Bo Pelini for a generous amount of time during the day. He told about his story of getting into the coaching ranks.

After playing for Ohio State, he went to Iowa as a GA and worked with the offense. He left after one year because they didn't offer the right setup to go into Sport Administration, which was what he wanted to do. He still wanted to coach also so he did send out numerous resumes to various teams. He was helping coach a high school team when one day the following fall Dwight Clark of the 49ers called him and asked if he was interested in being a scout for them. Clark met with Pelini and asked him to analyze three players and send the results to San Fransisco so they could evaluate his work. They were impressed and Pelini was hired as the head of scouting.

Pelini said he quickly "became bored" working in this area. He spent evenings with Ray Rhodes and other defensive coaches looking at film. They were impressed with his ideas and he was hired in mid-season as an assistant to the assistant secondary coach. At the end of the season Ray Rhodes went to the Philadelphia Eagles and Mike Shanahan went to the Denver Broncos. They both offered him jobs. But Mike Shanahan did give him some advice. He suggested that Coach Pelini stay with the 49ers who had a great system, George Seifert as head coach, and a defensive coordinator named Pete Carroll. Coach Pelini said "the best career decision he ever made was not taking the Bronco or Philly job as an assistant coach." He said "you are a product of what you are exposed to." The five years with the 49ers formed him into a great defensive coach. The rest is history.

Coach Pelini believes that coaching is all about relationships and teaching. In regards to teaching he learned in San Fransisco the following concepts:

1. Teach a player what to do2. Teach a player how to do it3. Most importantly, you need to teach WHY you are doing that way.

Whatever job that you have, you have to know the WHY. That way when there are changes in formations or adversity, you know how to react in a positive manner.

Coach Pelini believes that the best player is even in his emotions. "Players have to in control. Emotion happens when you have built a team, when you are playing for "N", not themselves."

Coach Pelini said "the players aren't quite ready yet, but they WILL be ready for the first game." This writer believes him.

In the afternoon, we had the pleasure to listen to Eric Crouch. Crouch was introduced as not only a great player and Heisman winner, but also a great person by Jeff Jamrog.

Crouch discussed his pro career. He said "he wanted to play quarterback" but the Rams drafted him as a receiver. Crouch was burned out from football when he left the Rams. He was injured most of his pro career and had nine surgeries before it was over. He said he doesn't know if his pro career is over now, but he does enjoy his recreational equipment sales business in Omaha.

Crouch raved about his high school football coach Fred Petito of Millard North.

Crouch said you always needed to "know what you were doing during the game" at NU. He said he would stay after practice and throw balls for an hour or two after practice. He worked hard.

His greatest college game, he said, was beating Notre Dame in overtime at Notre Dame with the stadium mostly red. He also mentioned the TD pass he caught from Mike Stuntz and the long Missouri run for a TD.

Crouch was very humorous and talked about the time when he was in New Orleans for the Walter Camp award. He said officials called him to go eat. He met Rex Grossman in the elevator and asked him if he was going out to eat because he assumed all the candidates were invited. Grossman was in shorts and had a pizza so he figured out real quick that he was going to eat with them by himself. They told him that night at supper that he was going to win the award.

Crouch also talked about running to a defensive team's strength sometimes when the defense would shift. He said "I thought, what the heck and they would go out and make ten to fifteen yards."

Part 4 will be the final segment. It will include more on Coach Pelini, the offensive coaches installing plays, and meeting with four of the players! Stay tuned.Crouch had a great message and was interesting to listen to.

An interesting web site is www.tv4u.com. Check out Classic Sports/Classic Football and look for the 1976 Bluebonnet Bowl with Nebraska vs. Texas Tech. Ron Franklin is a sideline announcer and the game is shown in its entirety.

Wednesday, July 08, 2009

I have never considered Harvey Perlman a representative of sports let alone being a spokesman for the BCS. Perlman has seemed to be a square shooter and he seems to be more comfortable with science and music announcements than sports. Just found it interesting.

What in the world is Congress doing talking about the BCS anyway. There are much more worldly issues to be dealing with than if the BCS is breaking anti-trust laws. Let the courts decide it rather than Orrin Hatch trying to spell out that Utah is better than Nebraska. It appears now that the BCS setup as we know it will be gone. That may be good but keep it out of Congress.

Personally I am ok with the BCS but don't have power conferences. Just take the best teams and let the system set it up. If two teams end up undefeated at year end, let's play one more game to decide the overall champion. Most years there wouldn't be an extra game but it would add excitement to the bowl games. Money needs to be split with the conferences that have the better teams. Last year the Mountain West Conference got $9.8 million which was half of the amount of money the three bigger conferences got. When they won their BCS bowl their conference should receive more money. It needs to be a little more fair. Their conference is not equal to the Big 12 but the payback should be more fairly distributed. How much? I am not sure.

I would like to see somebody that knows all the facts comment on this.

Look for Tony Stewart, Jimmie Johnson, and Kyle Busch battle for the Nascar race this week.

Saturday, July 04, 2009

On June 29th the elevation of the Harlan County Lake was 1947.03. This is compared to 1947.88 on 6/29/08. On June 26th, 2007, the elevation was 1939.85. The town of Alma had a record crowd for its parade today.

Wednesday, July 01, 2009

I attended the UNL Football 202 program last year. It was a GREAT experience!! Here is the second part of what I wrote last year.

This is Part 2 to this writer's day at Football 202. 132 Husker football fans attended "class" to learn more of the "inside" workings of the football team. Please refer to my July 26th blog for this writer's first set of notes.

It was mentioned in my Part 1 blog that next year's attendance may double when it gets around what a neat time we had with Football 202. The great thing of having 132 was that we all fit in the players meeting room in the football office.

After James Dobson spoke to us we took a break. At that time my daughter Kim introduced me to Chris Kiffin. He is a son to Monte Kiffin of the Tampa Bay Bucs and a brother to Lane Kiffin, the Oakland Raider head coach. Chris is 26 and is an intern for the football team. He will work with the tight ends this season. He played football for Colorado State as a defensive lineman. Coach Watson said that when he was with Colorado they had to use a smash block on Chris when they played Colorado State. A smash block consists of two lineman blocking one defender using a certain technique. Needless to say, Chris Kiffin was an excellent college football player and is a very good kid.

Also working as an intern is Austen Everson who was a standout QB for Coach Frank Solich at Ohio University in 2005 and 2006. It is my understanding he will be working in the video area.

After break we had the pleasure to hear Trev Alberts speak. His story is interesting and he has a passion for Husker football that may only be matched by Jason Peter.

Trev said that a Husker player has the "burden and responsibility to represent the state well" and to win football games. To be a Cornhusker means you do everything possible to put a winner on the field and anything less than that is not acceptable. He mentioned that, as a player, you have to understand what Nebraska football means to the fans.

Trev Alberts was from a small school in Iowa. He said his dad really didn't want him to play football because he needed to help with farm work. He said when they grew up they didn't have a TV. He did go out for football and had a pretty successful career.

Back when Trev was getting recruited, they didn't have internet recruiting services but Tom Lemming had a publication. Trev's dad called Tom Lemming and asked why his son wasn't on his all Midwest team. Lemming told him to send $25 and he would send Trev future copies. The next publication had Trev Albert as second team on the Midwest team. This helped him get recognition with college football programs.

One day Earl Bruce, who was then coaching Northern Iowa called him and said they would like to offer him a scholarship. He asked what that meant. Coach Bruce said that if you come here we will pay for your schooling if you play football for us. Trev said "alright, sounds good to me."

One day the legendary Nebraska linebacker football coach, John Melton, showed up at his door. That started his relationship with Nebraska. He had two or three offers from other schools and Iowa had asked him to walk-on but then Nebraska got interested. Dave Gillespie asked Alberts to send him some film. Trev laughed when he told us what his football tape consisted of. A father had taped a couple of games on an old recorder. He sent that tape to Nebraska.

Trev Alberts admired Tom Osborne. When Coach Osborne visited him, he wrote down on a piece of paper eight names. Trev's was at the bottom. Coach Osborne explained that if Trev came to Nebraska that he would be listed as the eighth linebacker. It would be up to him to move up. He admired Coach Osborne because he didn't make promises that he would start if he went to Nebraska. Coach Osborne also wanted competitors on his football team and they had to have the drive to improve themselves to start.

Trev Alberts went to Nebraska despite his parents wanting him to stay closer to home and attend Iowa. Iowa offered him a scholarship after Nebraska did. The other reason he went to NU was:

1. He loved the visit to Nebraska2. His high school football coach told him to go to Iowa because he could never play at NU. He said he still loves his high school coach dearly.

Trev Alerts said playing at Nebraska created a "larger mission of college athletics". He said that the student-athlete was never mistreated. We were always treated right."

He said that playing at Nebraska gave him many life lessons. Perseverance was a key. He felt like quitting many times but his dad told him he was not to quit and that being a quitter makes it easy to quit other things in life. He learned a different level of toughness and work ethic and that the work ethic was set by those that had an investment in the state.

"We believed in what we believed and we didn't waiver. We had principles." Another life lesson learned was honesty.

Trev Albert ended up as a rush end for the Cornhuskers. He attributes a lot of his success to his position coach, Tony Samuel. He won the Butkus award when he was a senior.

Trev Alberts was very entertaining. You can see why he has been successful on television. He said he is still friends with Mark May and had just spoke to him a couple of weeks ago.

Trev left us with "Football can't be about total thinking. You have to be free to play."